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A Fine Day for a Hanging

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A Fine Day for a Hanging

By: Carol Ann Lee
Narrated by: Maggie Ollerenshaw
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About this listen

In 1955, former nightclub manageress Ruth Ellis shot dead her lover, David Blakely. Following a trial that lasted less than two days, she was found guilty and sentenced to death. She became the last woman to be hanged in Britain, and her execution is the most notorious of hangman Albert Pierrepoint's 'duties'. Despite Ruth's infamy, the story of her life has never been fully told. Often wilfully misinterpreted, the reality behind the headlines was buried by an avalanche of hearsay. But now, through new interviews and comprehensive research into previously unpublished sources, Carol Ann Lee examines the facts without agenda or sensation.

A portrait of the era and an evocation of 1950s club life in all its seedy glamour, A Fine Day for a Hanging sets Ruth's gripping story firmly in its historical context in order to tell the truth about both her timeless crime and a punishment that was very much of its time.

©2012 Carol Ann Lee (P)2014 Audible, Inc. Social Sciences True Crime Emotionally Gripping Thought-Provoking

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All stars
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Gave poweful insight into the story underlining a reason for the abolition of hanging

poweful insight.

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I had heard of Ruth Ellis and her fate but never all the details about diminished responsibility and so on. This book was so interesting and sad. It is very well researched and written and I enjoyed listening. Good narrator too.

So interesting and enlightening

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I’m of an age to remember this (77) I remember asking my mother at the time, are they really going to hang a woman?
My Mum was obviously against My Father sat on the fence, All in all very moving.

Very Informative And detailed

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but don't understand why the narrator insists on reading in cringy, bordering on offensive, fake accents.

good though lengthy

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An exhaustive, occasionally exhausting, study of Ruth Ellis, the last woman to be hanged in Britain.

Ruth Ellis unquestionably killed her lover David Blakely (despite some fantastical conspiracy theory in one of the appendices) however, viewed through 21st century eyes, her conviction and execution feel extraordinarily harsh.

In 1955, women were expected to embrace homemaking and motherhood, not to harbour serious career aspirations, and to be chaste. Working class people were expected to know their place. Ruth broke all these "rules" and was characterised as promiscuous, calculating, a bad mother, ambitious, and self-serving.

That she had been abused as a child, was recovering from an abortion, and she had been regularly battered by David Blakely was ignored, furthermore she was given a loaded gun by another man, a rival for her affections, who drove her to the pub where the murder took place. He was never prosecuted.

'A Fine Day for a Hanging: The Real Ruth Ellis Story' must surely rank as the ultimate book about Ruth Ellis. Carol Ann Lee has left no stone unturned in her quest to understand Ruth’s life, the life of her victim David Blakely, the murder, conviction, hanging, and the aftermath.

Whilst reading the book I occasionally found it wearisome and too detailed, however on reflection, the extraordinary detail allowed me to really understand all the main players in this tragedy and to gain an in-depth understanding of the case.

Anyone interested in the era, or true crime more generally, will ultimately be fascinated by this illuminating and comprehensive account.

4/5

The ultimate book on Ruth Ellis

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I remember reading a book about this decades ago and thought I’d listen to a different book…this has shone a whole new light on this sad story. I’m already going to listen to this again…straight away.

Wow

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I had little interest in this story & little knowledge of the case but bought this book after reading Carol's book about Myra Hindley. After a while the narrative drew me in and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this title.

Recommended

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I feel this gave a balanced account of what is known of this case, whether that be factual, verifiable accounts as well as those surmised

Well written, well narrated

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I cannot paradise Carol Ann Lee enough as a meticulous researcher and excellent author. The narration was great, really enjoyable, conveying the story appropriately. I’ve previously read a hard copy of this book and the audible version was equally impressive. A brilliant retelling of the events concentrating on the facts. Highly recommended

A fabulous book

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Whilst the execution of Ruth Ellis in 1955 is well known, her story is not. This book, narrated very well by Maggie Ollerenshaw, is compelling from start to finish. Carol Ann Lee’s account of Ruth’s sad and tragically short life is brilliantly written. Highly recommended.

Thoroughly compelling.

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